Northern Kentucky University Athletics

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University hits the road for the first time this season Saturday to meet West Liberty in a battle of teams ranked in the NCAA Division II national poll.

NKU is No. 23 in this week's poll, while West Liberty is No. 4. NKU enters Saturday's 5 p.m. showdown with a 6-1 overall record, while West Liberty is unbeaten (7-0).

West Liberty features the nation's top offense, having averaged 130.9 points per game in its seven victories. The Hilltoppers have scored more than 150 points in a game twice this season with a high of 157 on Nov. 16 against Point Park. West Liberty features seven players who score in double figures.

This is the first meeting between NKU and West Liberty in men's basketball.

CENTURY MARK: NKU experienced little trouble in dispatching Indiana-East on Tuesday night during a 102-71 victory in The Bank of Kentucky Center. The Norse shot 59.7 percent from the field, won the rebounding battle by a 34-24 margin and forced 23 turnovers by the visiting Red Wolves.

It marked the first time NKU had scored 100 points in a game since a 124-58 victory against Indiana-East on Dec. 19, 2007.

IN CASE IT HAPPENS: The last time NKU and its opponent each scored at least 100 points in a game came on March 8, 2001, when the Norse outlasted Grand Valley State, 106-102, in the first round of the NCAA Division II Tournament at Owensboro, Ky.

1-2 BACKCOURT PUNCH: NKU senior guards Josh Tabb and Malcolm Eleby combined for 34 points, seven assists and five steals to spark NKU's win against Indiana-East. Tabb scored 18 points and blocked three shots for NKU, which is 4-0 all-time against Indiana-East. Tabb also added four assists and two steals.

Eleby finished with 16 points, three assists and three steals. Eleby scored 14 points in the first half, while Tabb added 12 before the break as NKU built a 55-31 lead. With the score tied at 9-all, Tabb ignited an 11-0 run in the first half with seven points. His breakaway dunk capped the spurt and gave NKU a 20-9 lead, and the rout had commenced.

Eleby averages a team-leading 15.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. He also tops the Norse with 28 assists and 11 steals.

Tabb averages 13.1 points per contest. He has also dished out 20 assists this season.

TORRID KNIGHT: NKU senior forward Chris Knight has averaged 20.5 points per game in the Norse's last two victories. Knight has upped his season scoring average to 11.1 points per contest, and he is pulling down 5.0 rebounds per game. Knight is also shooting 58.3 percent from the field.

NAIA STREAK: NKU has now won 25 consecutive games against NAIA opponents, dating back to 1993.